Adjustable woodworking stand

ABSTRACT

An adjustable stand includes a leg, a first member secured to the leg, a second member adjustably secured to said first member, and a support member for holding items on the stand, the support member is secured to the second member. A first adjustment mechanism is coupled between the first member and the second member. Movement of the first adjustment mechanism shifts the position of said second member relative to said first member thereby raising or lowering said support member. A retention member is secured between the first member and the second member, the retention member securing the first member to the second member, while allowing at least limited relative movement relative to the first member. A first adjustment mechanism includes a nut threaded on a shaft, bearing against the first tubular member and an anti-rotation lock secured to the shaft and coupled to the first tubular member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Woodworking stands are stands that support heavy materials in the courseof sawing, milling, or other operations that require the moving of theheavy materials relative to a tool. Generally, stands have been of twotypes: heavy, immobile, and expansive stands and flimsy, portable, andunstable stands. To date, the principal determining factor in the priceand quality of a stand has being the mechanism for adjusting a height ofthe stand to correspond with the level of a tool.

As a rule, the adjusting mechanism for the most expensive standscomprises of the plurality of threaded shafts and stabilizing rods toensure the head of the stand remains in constant orientation to itsspace. Rotating the threaded shafts simultaneously ensures that thestand remains orthogonal to the supporting stand and parallel to theplane of the tool. In many instances, the threaded shafts are in gearedrelationship one to the other to assure their simultaneous and preciserotation in response to the rotation of an additional handle. All of themechanism necessary for the adjustment in height adds weight to thestand. Ultimately this weight limits the utility of the stand outside ofa permanent woodworking shop. Such stands could not readily be broughtto the job site.

The inexpensive stands generally use some form of wedges or threadedscrews to fix the height of a sliding shaft. By holding the shaft atdesired height and then tightening the wedge or threaded screw assemblythe stand assumes a desired height. Such adjusting mechanisms are coarsein adjustment though mechanically simple. Generally, the shaft isallowed to slide feely in the stand in order to allow this coarseadjustment of height. Unfortunately, the same freedom of movementallowed the shaft to fall apart when transported to or from a job site.

The coarse adjustment possible with the inexpensive stands is generallyunsatisfactory to a woodworker seeking a precise fit and finish in hiswoodworking products. The adjusting mechanisms tend to be sloppy anddifficult to precisely adjust. Only with the greatest attention is oneable to perfectly align the top of the stand with the table of the toolin question. Because of the coarseness of the adjustment it is alsodifficult to maintain the stand at the appropriate height.

What is needed in the art then is the adjustable stand that is bothrelatively inexpensive and capable of fine and precise adjustment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an adjustable stand, such as awoodworking stand, for supporting materials or items. The standpreferably includes a leg, a first member secured to the leg, a secondmember adjustably secured to the first member, a support member forholding items on the stand, a first adjustment mechanism, and aretention member to secure the first and second members. The first andsecond members have upper ends and lower ends. The upper end of thesecond member extends above the upper end of the first member. Thesupport member is secured to the upper end of the second member. Thefirst adjustment mechanism is coupled between the first member and thesecond member. Movement of the first adjustment mechanism shifts theposition of the second member relative to the first member, therebyraising or lowering the support member. The retention member is securedbetween the first member and the second member. The retention memberallows at least limited relative movement between the first and secondmembers.

In one preferred embodiment, the retention member comprises a biasingmember. The biasing member includes a compression spring.

The first member preferably comprises a first tubular member. A secondtubular member is also provided, into which the first tubular member isslideably engaged. The leg is attached to the second tubular member.Alternate embodiments employ a single leg or multiple legs.

A coarse adjustment mechanism is ideally coupled between the first andsecond tubular members. The coarse adjustment mechanism selectivelylocks the position of the first and second tubular members relative toeach other. Thus, additional large movement adjustments are possiblewith the coarse adjustment member. In one preferred embodiment, thecoarse adjustment mechanism includes a screw retainably secured to thesecond tubular member. This screw has an end selectively bearing againstthe first tubular member when a locking engagement is desired. Afriction pad is also preferably provided between the first and secondtubular members opposite the screw between the tubular members.

The second member preferably comprises a shaft partially held within thefirst tubular member. At least a portion of the shaft is threaded. Thefirst adjustment mechanism includes a nut threaded on the threadedportion of the shaft. The nut bears against the portion of the firsttubular member to hold the members in a desired position. Rotation ofthe nut allows the fine-tuning of the relative position of the shaft andfirst tubular member for adjusting the support member.

In order to block rotation of the shaft when the nut is turned, ananti-rotation lock is preferably secured to the shaft and coupled to thefirst tubular member. The first tubular member is non-circular incross-section and the lock preferably comprises a pin extendingtransversely through the shaft and non-rotatably engaged with the firsttubular member. Thus, the pin may translate longitudinally along theaxis of the first tubular member, but will not rotate about such axis.

The leg (or legs in the preferred embodiment) is preferably pivotallysecured to the first member. When a second tubular member is provided,the leg(s) are secured to the second tubular member, which is in turnsecured to the first tubular member.

The invention also includes a method of operating a work stand. Thesteps include providing a stand, placing the stand legs on a workingsurface such as the ground or floor, biasing a shaft of the standdownwardly, and adjusting the position of the shaft. The stand isprovided with legs, an upright tubular member held between the legs, anda shaft held within and extending above the tubular member. A support issecured to the top of the shaft. When the lower ends of the legs areplaced on the surface, the tubular member is held substantially uprightby the legs. The shaft is biased downwardly relative to the tubularmember. Adjusting the position of the shaft relative to the tubularmember is accomplished with an adjustment mechanism coupled to the shaftand to the tubular member.

The method preferably includes the stand provided with a coarseadjustment mechanism between the legs and the upright tubular member.The coarse adjustment mechanism is used to change the position of theupright tubular member relative to the legs.

The method also includes the step of stopping the rotation of the shaftwhile adjusting the position of the shaft relative to the tubularmember. The step of stopping rotation is carried out with ananti-rotation pin held by the shaft and bearing against the uprighttubular member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention aredescribed in detail below with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stand assembly.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the adjusting mechanism of the standassembly.

FIG. 3 is a cut-away drawing of the fine adjusting mechanism; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective of the stand assembly with a bearing table inplace.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a stand assembly 100 comprising anoutfeed roller assembly 110 and a base assembly 120. The outfeed rollerassembly 110 comprises a roller 130 rotatably held by a roller bracket132. In turn, the roller bracket 132 is affixed to a receiving nut 134at its midpoint. The receiving nut 134 is configured to receive athreaded shaft 138 to thereby affixed the roller assembly to the standassembly. A jamming nut 136 rotates along the threads of the threadedshaft 138 to bear against the receiving nut 134 and thereby moresecurely affix the roller assembly 110 to the stand assembly 120.

As mentioned above, the stand assembly supports a threaded shaft 138.The threaded shaft extends through an inner extrusion 144, itselftelescopingly extending through an outer extrusion 146. Affixed to anouter wall of the outer extrusion 146 are cruciate hinges 158. Thecruciate hinges 158 hold each of four legs 156 by means of hinge pins160 passing through the upper ends of the legs 156. The legs 156 bearagainst the outer extrusion 146 to limit their rotational movement aboutthe hinge pins 160. In the expanded position wherein the lower ends ofthe legs 156 are moved away from the inner extrusion 144, the legspresent a base to the ground. The lower end of each leg preferablyincludes a foot 162 for receiving a threaded leveling shaft 164 affixedto a glide 166. Alternately, but not illustrated, a spike for the glideis provided, allowing stable placement of the stand assembly 100 to asofter surface capable of receiving the spike.

The threaded shaft 138 extending through the inner extrusion 144 extendsbelow the lower end of the inner extrusion 144. A spring retaining nut180 is threaded on the threaded shaft 138 and held from rotation by acotter pin 178. Coiled around the threaded shaft 138 between an upperspring washer 172 and a lower spring washer 176, each encircling thethreaded shaft 138, is a coiled tensioning spring 174. The tensioningspring 174 bears against each of the upper spring washer 172 and a lowerspring washer 176 in order to bias the shaft downwardly within the innerextrusion 144 pulling on the adjusting wing nut 140 resting on a bearingwasher 142 against the upper end of the inner extrusion 144.

FIG. 2 portrays the adjusting mechanism for the stand assembly 100 atthe juncture between the roller assembly 110 and the base assembly 120.The roller assembly includes the roller 130 and the roller bracket 132along with its receiving nut 134 affixed to the threaded shaft 138 withthe jamming nut 136 suitably tightened against the receiving nut 134.The stand assembly is shown in partial cross section with the legs 156bearing against the outer extrusion 146 and rotatable about the cruciatehinges 158 around the hinge pins 160. The legs are in their “open”position with a lower surface of the feet 162 receiving the threadedleveling shaft 164 above the glides 166 resting on the surface. Thethreaded shaft 138 is movable within the inner extrusion 144 from ahighest position where the spring 174 is completely compressed to alowest position where the jamming nut 136 bears against the wing nut140. Coarse adjustment is maintained by a detaining nub 150 affixed to adetaining threaded shaft 154 in turn rotatably received by a cashed nut152. The cashed nut 152 is fixedly attached to a retaining outerextrusion wall 146 b. Rotating the detaining nub 150 and consequentlydetaining threaded shaft 154 within the cashed nut 152 extends thedetaining threaded shaft against the surface of the tensioning innerextrusion wall 144 b pressing the inner extrusion 144 such that theopposing inner extrusion wall 144 a is pressed against an opposing outerextrusion wall 146 a. Thus a friction engagement fixedly maintains therelationship between the inner extrusion 144 and the outer extrusion146. A series of friction pads 148 are interposed between the opposinginner extrusion wall 144 a and the opposing outer extrusion wall 146 ato enhance the friction fit. Once coarse adjustment is obtained, therelationship between the threaded shaft 138 and the inner extrusion 144is maintained or adjusted by rotating the wing nut 140 as it bearsagainst the bearing washer 142. The threaded shaft 138 is held in fixedrotational orientation with the inner extrusion 144 by means of anorienting pin 139 (FIG. 3). Therefore, rotating the wing nut 140 aboutthe threaded shaft 138 causes the wing nut 140 to move axially along thethreaded shaft 138 thereby raising or lowering the roller assembly 110in relationship to the inner extrusion 144 and thereby moving it inrelationship to the base assembly 120.

FIG. 3 shows the inner extrusion 144, the threaded shaft in crosssection 138 and the orienting pin 139. Advantageously, the orienting pinprovides an inexpensive means of fixing the rotation of the threadedshaft 138 with relationship to the inner extrusion 144 while theorienting pin 139 is free to slide axially up and down the innerextrusion 144.

FIG. 4 shows the stand assembly 100 where the base assembly 120 is usedto support a bearing table 111 rather then the roller assembly (notpictured). Exchanging the roller assembly (not pictured) for the bearingtable 111 is readily accomplished by loosening the jamming nut 136(FIG. 1) and disengaging the threads of the threaded shaft 138 (FIG. 1)from the receiving nut 134 (FIG. 1).

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has being illustratedand described, as noted above, many changes can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example,movable glides with incorporated spikes may be substituted for theglides pictured so as to give purchase on a variety of surfaces.Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosureof the preferred embodiment.

1. An adjustable stand comprising: a. a leg; b. a first member securedto said leg, said first member having an upper end and a lower end; c. asecond member adjustably secured to said first member, said secondmember having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of said secondmember extending above the upper end of said first member; d. a supportmember for holding items on the stand, said support member secured tothe upper end of said second member; e. a first adjustment mechanismcoupled between said first member and said second member, movement ofsaid first adjustment mechanism shifting the position of said secondmember relative to said first member thereby raising or lowering saidsupport member; and f. a retention member secured between said firstmember and said second member, said retention member securing said firstmember to said second member, while allowing at least limited relativemovement therebetween.
 2. The adjustable stand of claim 1, wherein saidretention member comprises a biasing member.
 3. The adjustable stand ofclaim 2, wherein said first member comprises a first tubular member, thestand further comprising a second tubular member into which said firsttubular member is slidably engaged, said leg being attached to saidsecond tubular member.
 4. The adjustable stand of claim 3, furthercomprising a course adjustment mechanism coupled between said first andsecond tubular members, said course adjustment mechanism selectivelylocking the position of said first and second tubular members relativeto each other.
 5. The adjustable stand of claim 4, wherein said courseadjustment mechanism comprises a screw rotatably secured to said secondtubular member, said screw having an end selectively bearing againstsaid first tubular member.
 6. The adjustable stand of claim 5, whereinsaid course adjustment mechanism further comprises a friction padbetween said first and second tubular members opposite said screw. 7.The adjustable stand of claim 1, wherein said first member comprises afirst tubular member, the stand further comprising a second tubularmember into which said first tubular member is slidably engaged, saidleg being attached to said second tubular member.
 8. The adjustablestand of claim 7, wherein said second member comprises a shaft partiallyheld within said first tubular member.
 9. The adjustable stand of claim8, wherein at least a portion of said shaft is threaded, and whereinsaid first adjustment mechanism comprises a nut threaded on said shaftand bearing against a portion of said first tubular member.
 10. Theadjustable stand of claim 9, further comprising an anti-rotation locksecured to said shaft and coupled to said first tubular member.
 11. Theadjustable stand of claim 10, wherein said first tubular member isnon-circular in cross section and wherein said lock comprises a pinextending transversely through said shaft.
 12. The adjustable stand ofclaim 1, further comprising a course adjustment mechanism coupledbetween said first and second members, said course adjustment mechanismselectively locking the position of said first and second membersrelative to each other.
 13. The adjustable stand of claim 12, whereinsaid leg is pivotally secured to said first member.
 14. An adjustablestand for supporting materials comprising: a. at least one leg; b. afirst elongated member secured to said at least one leg, said firstelongated member having an upper end and a lower end; c. a secondelongated member adjustably secured to said first elongated member, saidsecond elongated member having an upper end and a lower end, the upperend of the second elongated member extending above the upper end of thefirst elongated member; d. a first adjustment mechanism coupled to saidsecond elongated member and interfacing said first elongated member forshifting of said second elongated member relative to said firstelongated member; e. a biasing means coupled between said firstelongated member and said second elongated member below the upper endsof both said first and second elongated members and below said firstadjustment mechanism, said biasing means retaining said second elongatedmember from unrestrained upward movement relative to said firstelongated member; and f. a holder secured to the upper end of saidsecond elongated member for supporting materials.
 15. The adjustablestand of claim 14, further comprising a course adjustment mechanismcoupled between said first and second elongated members, said courseadjustment mechanism selectively locking the position of said first andsecond elongated members relative to each other.
 16. The adjustablestand of claim 15, wherein said first elongate member comprises a firsttubular member and said second elongate member comprises a shaft, saidshaft being partially held within said first tubular member.
 17. Theadjustable stand of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of said shaftis threaded, and wherein said first adjustment mechanism comprises a nutthreaded on said shaft and bearing against a portion of said firsttubular member.
 18. The adjustable stand of claim 17, wherein saidbiasing means comprises a compression spring held between the lower endof said shaft and the lower end of said first tubular member.
 19. Theadjustable stand of claim 17, further comprising an anti-rotation locksecured to said shaft and coupled to said first tubular member.
 20. Anadjustable stand for supporting materials comprising: a. a plurality oflegs; b. a first tubular member secured to said legs, said first tubularmember having an upper end and a lower end; c. an elongate memberreceived partially within said first tubular member and having an upperend extending above said first tubular member and a lower end extendingbelow said first tubular member, said elongate member being selectivelymovable up and down relative to said first tubular member; d. a firstadjustment mechanism coupled to said elongate member and interfacing theupper end of said first tubular member, movement of said firstadjustment mechanism shifting said elongate member selectively up ordown relative to said first tubular member; e. a biasing member securedbetween the lower end of said first tubular member and the lower end ofsaid elongate member, said biasing member holding said elongate memberwithin said tubular member and biasing said elongate member downrelative to said tubular member; and f. a support secured to the upperend of said elongate member.
 21. The adjustable stand of claim 3,further comprising a second tubular member and a course adjustmentmechanism, said first tubular member being slidably received within saidsecond tubular member and extending above said second tubular member,said second tubular member being secured to said legs, said courseadjustment mechanism selectively securing the position of said firsttubular member relative to said second tubular member.
 22. Theadjustable stand of claim 21, wherein said elongate member comprises ashaft, at least a portion of said shaft being threaded, and wherein saidfirst adjustment mechanism comprises a nut threaded on said shaft andbearing against a portion of said first tubular member.
 23. Theadjustable stand mechanism of claim 22, further comprising ananti-rotation lock secured to said shaft and coupled to said firsttubular member.
 24. A method of operating a work stand comprising: a.providing a stand having legs, an upright tubular member held betweenthe legs, and a shaft held within and extending above the tubular memberwith a support secured to the top of said shaft; b. placing lower endsof the legs on a surface, the tubular member being held substantiallyupright; c. biasing the shaft downwardly relative to the tubular member;and d. adjusting the position of the shaft relative to the tubularmember with an adjustment mechanism coupled to the shaft and to thetubular member.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein said stand isfurther provided with a course adjustment mechanism between the legs andthe upright tubular member, the method further comprising the step ofadjusting the course adjustment mechanism to change the position of saidupright tubular member relative to the legs.
 26. The method of claim 25,further comprising the step of stopping the rotation of the shaft whileadjusting the position of the shaft relative to the tubular member, saidstep of stopping rotation carried out with an anti-rotation pin held bythe shaft and bearing against the upright tubular member.